By Giulia Piceni. Cover image by Margie Mitchem for I’M Firenze Digest.
As the Cannes 2024 is prestigious Film Festival that showcases of cinematic artistry, never fails to set the stage for some of the most anticipated films of the year. This year’s lineup was no exception, featuring a diverse array of stories that captivated audiences and critics alike. From gripping dramas to thought-provoking narratives, these five standout films are generating significant buzz and are poised to make a splash in theatres. Here are the top picks from Cannes 2024 that we can’t wait to watch on the big screen this year.
Cannes 2024, our top 5 films we can’t wait to watch
1. Kinds of Kindness by Yorgos Lanthimos
Kinds of Kindness is the latest work by Yorgos Lanthimos, the acclaimed director who has brought a second Oscar to Emma Stone through the character of cheeky Emma in Poor Things. This newest film, presented at the Cannes 2024 Film Festival, consists of a triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life, a policeman who returns changed after being missing at sea, and a woman searching for someone with special abilities who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader. Featuring Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and even the Euphoria TV series idol Hunter Schafer, Kinds of Kindness promises to be an intriguing exploration of human emotions by the master of the unsettling. Can’t wait.
2. Parthenope by Paolo Sorrentino
The new film by Paolo Sorrentino is reminiscent of his previous works, The Hand of God and The Great Beauty, serving as another homage to his past and Italy.
The story revolves around a woman named Parthenope, who shares her name with the city of Naples but is neither a siren nor a myth. The narrative spans from 1950 to the present day, exploring various aspects of her life, including impossible loves, moments of happiness and sorrow, and the inevitable changes in life. It is an intimate and passionate portrayal of Naples, a city that, according to the director, “enchants and hurts” at the same time.
The movie is an Italian-French co-production filmed in Naples and on the island of Capri. Parthenope is expected to be another fascinating and deeply personal exploration of Sorrentino’s universe, filled with references to his hometown and universal themes of life and love.
3. Megalopolis by Francis Ford Coppola
The retro-futuristic epic is a monumental achievement brought to life through Francis Ford Coppola’s immense production efforts. The idea was conceived in 1977 and saw its first incarnation in the 1980s, only to be revived in 2019 when the iconic filmmaker took the reins of the project, financing it himself by selling his wine empire in Napa Valley. But what lies beneath the surface of this promising classic presented at the Cannes Film Festival? The movie unfolds against the captivating blend of ancient Rome’s allure and New York in the Roaring Twenties, set in the backdrop of the city of New Rome, brought to ruin by a catastrophic event. Cesar Catilina, an idealistic architect endowed with the power to manipulate time, envisions its reconstruction as a sustainable utopia. In stark contrast stands the corrupt Mayor Franklyn Cicero, staunchly clinging to a regressive status quo. Torn between them is Franklin’s daughter, Julia, a socialite who is weary of the influence she has inherited and seeks the true purpose of her life.
The idea of reshaping a city, from Thomas Moore to contemporary architects and even movie directors, has been a constant source of creativity. Nearly a century later, it is hard not to see the connections between the dystopian scenario created by Coppola and the vision of German director Fritz Langs in Metropolis (1927). With dialogues that mix Shakespeare’s sonnets and ancient Latin, this film feels like a portrayal of the next Roman Empire
4. The apprentice by Ali Abbasi
The Apprentice delves into the dark side of the American empire, tracing Donald Trump’s rise to power through a Faustian pact with the influential right-wing lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn. Set in the early years of Trump’s business career, the film centres on his intricate relationship with Cohn, a New York City prosecutor known for his work with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Second Red Scare. This mentor-protégé story chronicles the beginnings of an American dynasty, exploring themes of power, corruption, and deception.
With Sebastian Stan portraying the billionaire and former USA President, this movie by the director of the cult series The Last of Us seems the right key to unlocking all the myths and beliefs that lay behind the controversial figure of Donald Trump.
5. Last but not least from Cannes 2024, Bird by Andrea Arnold
Bailey lives with her brother Hunter and their father Bug, who single-handedly raises them in a squat in northern Kent. Bug is often too preoccupied to give them much attention, leading Bailey to seek excitement and connection elsewhere. As the Guardian eloquently puts it, this film delves into themes of “identity and belonging, the poignancy of not being valued, not being seen, the transition from childhood to adulthood, girlhood to womanhood, sexism and cruelty.” In short, it’s a must-watch for anyone in their twenties.
With Barry Keoghan, a rising star from Saltburn, leading the cast, the film features a memorable scene set to the iconic track from the latter movie Murder on the Dancefloor. This movie promises to be a compelling and emotionally resonant experience, capturing the essence of youth and the quest for self-discovery.
Starring Barry Keoghan, a rising star from Saltburn, the film includes a memorable scene set to the iconic track from the movie Murder on the Dancefloor. Bird is set to deliver a compelling and emotionally resonant experience, depicting the essence of youth and the journey of self-discovery.
